Ashamed Hebrews 11:16 I. Introduction. A. God is not ashamed of the faithful: Hebrews 11:16. 1. The writer had listed several great men of faith who acted without shame. 2. The Lord would reward them for their devotion. B. God's people of today should not be ashamed of the gospel, the church and the paths of righteousness. 1. Some are embarrassed by the truth. 2. Some are skeptical about the church as God built her. 3. Some feel inferior because of the walk and life of a Christian. C. Ashamed: Feeling shame or guilt; feeling inferior, inadequate or embarrassed. Reluctant through fear of humiliation or shame(Webster). D. There are items, situations, and circumstances that should bring shame(be ashamed). 1. Laziness: Proverbs 10:5. 2. Pride: Proverbs 11:2. 3. Refusing to learn: Proverbs 13:18. 4. Answering before the question: Proverbs 18:13. 5. Child not guided(taught and corrected): Proverbs 29:15. E. There are items, situations, and circumstances that should not bring shame(not ashamed). 1. When obeying God. 2. When standing up for the truth. F. There are even those who are not ashamed when they should be: Jeremiah 8:12. 1.Our society has this problem: Ephesians 5:12. 2. Blushing and embarrassment does not come easy to some folks. G. There was a time when man did not know shame: Genesis 2:25. II. Body. A. We are not to be ashamed: 1. Of the teachings of Christ: Mark 8:38. 2. Of the gospel: Romans 1:16. 3. Of believing in Jesus Christ: Romans 9:33. 4. Of those who stand for the truth: II Timothy 1:8. a. Paul's attitude: II Timothy 1:12. b. Even in the age of Moses: Psalm 119:6. 5. To study and apply the Lord's word: II Timothy 2:15. 6. If we are not ashamed of the Lord and of His word, He will not be ashamed of us: I John 2:28. a. If one is faithful, there is no reason to be ashamed: Joel 2:26. b. Note the problem in Israel: Ezra 9:6. c. Even if we suffer: I Peter 4:16. B. We are to be ashamed: 1. Of our sins of the past: Romans 6:20-21. a. Motivates not to return. b. That "shame" is overcome by obeying Jesus Christ and remaining faithful. 2. When one opposes "sound"(healthy) speech: Titus 2:8. a. Sound: speaking as the oracles of God: I Peter 4:11. b. Israel to be taught so they would not be ashamed: Ezekiel 43:10-12. 3. When we do not live a righteous life as a Christian: I Peter 3:16. 4. When we bring shame to others by our own misconduct: Proverbs 12:4. a. Adam and Eve were not ashamed until they disobeyed the Lord: Genesis 2:25. b. They hid themselves because of their shame. c. But..they could not hide from God. 5. When one does not obey and continue in the truth, they are to be ashamed: II Thessalonians 3:14. III. Conclusion. A. Do not be ashamed to follow the paths of truth and righteousness whatever your age or position. B. Remember always: If we are ashamed of the Lord, He will be ashamed of us.-jy